La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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ITIen ' s Tennis Freshman Captures MAAC Singles Title By Peggy Seydow The men ' s tennis team headed for Forest Hills and MAAC Championships in October with just three players return- ing from last year ' s winning season. Sophomore Evan Weiss was outstand- ing at number two singles, losing in the semifinals to the eventual winner of the division. Senior Michael Holt was strong at number four singles, but he truly ex- celled at number two doubles; paired with junior transfer Jim Simone, the duo made it to the finals before rain can- celled their match. Freshmen Scott Piro and Lester Powder played well at num- bers five and six, and junior co-captain Pete Teluk played his usual excellent doubles, leading La Salle to a third place finish. However, the real star of the team, and of the tournament, was freshman Darryl Mack, whose brilliant play earned him four victories at number one singles and made him the champi- on of the MAAC. Never before had La Salle had a player in the championship final, but Mack did not allow tradition to deter him; he fought his way to a tough third set victory over his Army oppo- nent, the previous year ' s champion. Coach Jeff Marmon was thrilled with Mack ' s victory, especially because his young sensation was playing in his first collegiate tournament. Although the men ' s season is in the spring, they play MAAC championships in October, at the same time as the women ' s team. The men ' s powerful performance has Marmon looking toward a great sea- son; with the new advantage of home courts, he hopes to better last year ' s 10-4 record. The team is young, but the leadership of co-captains Holt and Te- luk, and the potential of Mack and the other freshmen, signals a bright future for the 1987 season. Coach Marmon congratulates Darryl Mack for winning the No. 1 Singles MAAC Championship. 1986 graduate Gary Block gets ready to smash a serve against his opponent. 1986 Men ' s Tennis: Pete Teluk, Evan Weiss, Wasyl Manko, Ray Pescatore, Mike Holt, Gary Block, Mike Patterson, John Mercurio, Jeff Marmon (Coach). New 1987 Members: Darryl Mack, Scott Piro. Lester Powder, Jim Simone.

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Golf Sophomore Joe Quigley practices posing for future sportswear endorsements. Drew Friel of the Class of 1986 puts for par. Watch The Birdie By Ed Skorpinski Although it is perhaps the most little known team on campus, the golf team at La Salle has certainly caught some attention around the rest of the league. Coached by Father Robert Breen, the team has already made a strong showing in three fall matches, with a much longer spring schedule to follow. In tournaments at Georgetown and Bucknell, they placed fifth and fourth respectively against strong fields in both events. In addition, at Bucknell, the team shot an amazing average round of 78. The third tournament, at Yale, was probably the toughest of the three, yet La Salle managed to place seventh out of twenty against several Ivy League powerhouses. Obviously, the golf team does not play on the La Salle campus; their home course is the Philmont Country Club, in Huntingdon Valley. Every spring break, they venture to warmer weath- er in Florida to begin spring practice and to participate in the Sunshine Invi- tational Tournament. Until May, then. La Salle ' s linksters will play matches at Philmont and at other colleges in the eastern Pennsylvania area such as Vil- lanova, St. Joseph ' s, West Chester, and Ursinus. Last spring was somewhat disap- pointing for the golf team, despite a third place showing in the MAAC Championships at the Pelham Manor Country Club in New York. With many returning members, it is likely that La Salle will give Army and Holy Cross a tough battle for the title this year. They are led by Tomas Kelliher, a sophomore import from Ireland who placed elev- enth overall in the MAAC Champion- ships and captured the Irish (American) Open at Frankford-Torresdale in the off season. Other key team members are senior Joe Hughes, juniors Jim Boyle and Joe Kelly, and sophomores Joe Quigley and Jim Green. Great things are also expected from new golfers Tom Co- vello, a transfer from the University of Maryland, and freshman Fran Malley and Glenn Perri. Most people probably picture golf as simply a leisure sport played by doctors on their days off. As Kelliher remarks, however, At La Salle, golf is just not a social event — because we are a var- sity sport, we are expected to per- form. This sense of seriousness is evi- denced by daily practices and team discussions with Coach Breen after- wards to discuss course strategies. As Kelliher adds, though, the team is out there because they like the sport and have a lot of fun at it. Hopefully, the right combination of fun and concen- tration will bring the golf team even more success in the future. Roster: Tom Covello, Jim Boyle, Jim Green, Joe Hughes, Tomas Kelliher, Joseph Kelly, Joe Quig- ley, Fran Malley, Glenn Perri, Father Robert Breen (Coach).

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Softball Recruiting Problems Plague Softball Team Two Years in a Row In his twelve years here at La Salle, head softball coach Rick Pohlig has led the team to a 170-1 12 win-loss record. Every season has seen a .500 or better average. 1986, Pohlig admits, was an exception. It was a transitional year, he says, explaining that tor the first time, re- cruiting was very difficult. Despite a good schedule, last season proved to be too much for the lv under-wo- maned team; where there are usually eighteen players, there were only twelve. Numbers and inexperience were the major obstacles to upholding the .500 or better standard of which the team ' s history can boast. Nevertheless, Pohlig does not view the 1986 season negatively. There were the wins against nationally- ranked North Carolina at Chapel Hill and East Carolina at the George Ma- son Invitational. There was the tie against Rutgers, to whom La Salle has always previously lost. And there were the honors earned by freshman Anne Richards and sophomore Sonya Wil- moth, both of whom were named to the MA AC All-Tournament Team. Left- fielder Richards performed flawlessly at the MAAC Championship, after achieving a regular season .350 bat- ting average. Wilmoth pitched with an ERA of .140, posting a 12-11 record, In addition, Wilmoth had an impressive .267 batting average. Hopes of making it to the MAAC Tournament Championships, however, By Mary Goldschmidt were dashed in overtime when Holy Cross won 1-0, putting La Salle in third place. For the 1987 season, recruiting was still a problem. Fortunately, many play- ers are returning, and their experience will add greatly to the strength of the team. Coach Pohlig is optimistic in his outlook and confident that the team will finish with a winning record. A special meaning will accompany every 1987 game, for the team has dedicated the season to the memory of former teammate Chris Mazurek, a 1985 graduate who died tragically in 1986. It is hoped the team reaches all of their goals. La Salle ' s on deck and ready for victory. Maureen Carroll is ready for a play. 152